The Latest from the Steampunk World

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Fair ladies and gentlemen, it’s been my honor for over 600 posts to bring you daily news from the Steampunk world. I’ve discovered so many amazing things about this incredible subculture and it’s breathtakingly talented participants and I’ve delighted in sharing each of my daily discoveries with all of you. It says something about the vibrancy of a subculture that manages to produce something new to discuss everyday.

The past few months, I’ve gone through some incredible changes in my life. I moved to the city I’ve always belonged in. I got a job where I get paid to write. I moved into my own place.

And all throughout this, there’s been no disruption in service to you, my beloved readers. Since I started writing this blog, I’ve pretty much never had a day away from writing posts.

That’s why I’m taking an indefinitely long vacation from writing for Trial By Steam. I’ll be taking the time to focus on my own creative endeavors. I’ll also be managing the website and contributing the occasional article for the recently resurrected Steampunk Magazine.

During this off-period, I’ll be using the time to reassess Trial By Steam’s future role, if it will have any. If you have any feedback, commentary or ideas on anything at all, please feel free to drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you. Really, I would.

Thankfully, I live in a city where things like a car are a luxury rather than a necessity to live a full-functioning life as an adult. I can pretty much to to anywhere in the greater Seattle area on a convenient bus. Public transit is definitely awesome.

But there are days that I wished I had a car. It’s often wet in Seattle, and paper grocery bags and wet don’t tend to get along very well. One time, it started to rain on my way home from the grocery store, and just as I was stepping up to my front door, the bottom caved out of my bag. It was hilarious and tragic at the same time.

If, in this hypothetical world where I needed a car and money was no object, I needed something completely extravagant to proclaim my Steampunk affiliations to the world, this car might be something to consider:

That’s the De Dion Bouton Et Trepardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout, or La Marquise for short, and it’s the oldest running car in existence, created in 1884.

Want to learn more about this crazy car? Click here for the original article which is packed full of history Steampunk across the board are sure to love.

As everyone’s favorite airship pirates are settling into this weekend’s port of Corpus Christi, I have some great news for fans all over the world. Abney Park‘s latest album, Off The Grid, will be pre-released on October 15th, 2011 at 12 noon PST.

This acoustic album brings a new and different sound to the band that, chances are, you’ve never heard before. Here’s the track list for Off The Grid:

The Ballad Of Ranch Hand Robbie

Bad Things Coming

Evil Man

The Apocalypse

Neither One Lets Go

Off The Grid

Stigmata Martyr

The Wrong Side

To The Apocalypse in Daddies Side Car

Space Cowboy

Aether Shanties

I’ve Been Wrong Before

My Life

Fans of the band will likely recognize many of the songs, with a few new pieces thrown in. Here’s what Captain Robert had to say about it:

This album is a milestone for Abney Park, and many have already called it a huge artistic breakthrough. Not only is it called Off The Grid, the musicians were off the grid when we recorded it! Other then the machine used to make the recordings, everything on this album is completely unplugged. But far from being a handicap, this has triggered an explosion of creativity in Abney Park that has never before been rivaled. The result is an album that I am more proud of than anything to date!

In the hours leading up to the album release, you’ll get the opportunity to log in to an online party to chat with members of the band about the album and await it’s release.

One of Steampunk’s common costuming components is the modified Nerf gun. I’m rather of the opinion that gadgets and clothes don’t necessarily make the Steampunk, but to each their own. Many of you love your Nerf guns, and I won’t begrudge you for that. I have many a good memory of my college days playing Human vs. Zombies and defending myself with naught but a Nerf gun. It was good times.

There’s all levels of modifications when it comes to Nerf guns, from the mediocre to the magnificent. And this nerf gun is most definitely magnificent:

Unfortunately, this piece has already been sold to some lucky Steampunk out there, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t take some inspiration from it. Watch the shop… they’re sure to have other cool things pop up if this is any indication.

And really, if you absolutely must have a Nerf gun to complete your ensemble, one that looks like this will certianly enhance the overall look you’re aiming for.

Steampunks hailing from the greater Seattle area will be pleased to hear that tickets for the 2012 Steampunk Exhibition Ball are now on sale. Early bird general admission tickets start at 25$ (27 with service fees) and go up from there based on the level of VIP you prefer.

The Steampunk Exhibition Ball is a benefit for the Center for Sex Positive Culture. The CSPC is a 501(c)7 dedicated to providing a safe place for adults to explore their sexuality.

This is one of the bigger events for the Steampunk community here in Seattle, so I do hope you grab your tickets now or at least pencil it into your calendar.